When not illustrating or writing for kids, Julia can be found herding cats, telling puntastic “jokes,” or beating kale. (Yes, beating, not eating. Kale is a Collard’s natural enemy.) She may or may not be part narwhal.

In addition to working on picture books, Julia is open to freelance illustration work including covers, interior spots, and maps (all for traditionally published books only, please).

Julia Shahin Collard’s art has been published in the Los Angeles Times, as well as exhibited in the Venice Art Walk and other shows. She was honored to have a solo art show at Villa Musica in San Diego in 2013. In February 2014, she was selected as SCBWI's Featured Illustrator, she was the OC Illustrators’ Featured Artist in May 2014, and she won an Honorable Mention in 3x3 Magazine's 2015 Annual Show.